Morrison doubts Darwin detention time frame

Opposition immigration spokesman Scott Morrison says there is no way the Government will be able to build a new detention centre near Darwin within four months.

Mr Morrison is visiting Darwin and has toured the existing detention centre at Berrimah and two hotels being used to house asylum seekers.

He has also visited Wickham Point, where the Government plans to have 500 beds ready by mid-year.

Mr Morrison says the time line is unlikely.

"Now Wickham Point is scrub," he said.

"There is nothing out there, and if the Government believes it can get a centre up and running there within three or four months it will truly be a miracle.

"Maybe not as big a miracle required to get the East Timor centre up and running which has hit the map this week."

Mr Morrison also says the Government should update the public on how it is handling asylum seekers who rioted on Christmas Island two weeks ago.

There were four nights of unrest at the centre, during which up to 250 detainees set fire to buildings and threw rocks at police.

He says there is still no word on whether those involved will face charges.

"We still have heard nothing from the minister, not only on if any charges have been laid but if any sanctions have been imposed on those responsible for the violent rioting we saw on Christmas Island.

"Immediately we said that anyone who's involved in those riots should have had their processing suspended, that their processing should go to the back of the line in those centres."